Warner Home Video has announced that a new Peanuts direct-to-video animated movie will be released on DVD on March 29, 2011. Titled Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, the movie will focus on an impending visit from Linus and Lucy’s grandmother, who plans on getting rid of Linus’ security blanket, and the gang’s subsequent efforts to break him of his security blanket habit. The movie will be based on “original comic strip ideas created by Charles Schulz” originally published in the 1960’s. Craig Schulz, one of the creator’s sons, served as executive producer along with Paige Braddock and Linda M. Steiner, with Andy Beall (Up, Ratatouille) and Frank Molieri (The Simpsons Movie, SpongeBob SquarePants Movie) serving as co-directors. Suggested retail price is $19.98.

The full press release follows. Click on disc artwork to enlarge.

THE PEANUTS GANG IS BACK
WITHHAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN
THE ALL-NEW ORIGINAL MOVIE
TO BE RELEASED ON DVD
MARCH 29, 2011
BY WARNER HOME VIDEO

BURBANK, CA (January 5, 2011) – Join Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts characters as they help their pal Linus break free from his attachment to his security blanket in Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, the first new Peanuts special in five years. The film, produced by Warner Premiere, is set for release on DVD by Warner Home Video (WHV) March 29, 2011 and will retail for $19.98 SRP. Order due date has been set for February 22, 2011.

In this heartwarming new tale, Linus is pushed to his limits when he learns his grandmother is coming to visit and plans to rid him of his most cherished possession, his beloved security blanket. As grandma’s impending arrival looms closer, the Peanuts gang finds ways to try and help Linus lose his dependence on his fuzzy crutch.

Lucy is particularly eager to cure Linus’ emotional attachment and applies her own psychiatric techniques. Charlie Brown on the other hand does his best to help but he just does not have the heart to see Linus suffer. Snoopy constantly agitates matters because he longs to have the blanket himself. In the end, insightful Linus points out that everyone has their own type of “security blanket” and that in life, a little security is a valuable thing.

Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown is comprised of original comic strip ideas created by Charles Schulz. The concept was to stay true to the characters’ emotion and original look of the strip while still producing a new story, with Schulz’s work at the heart of the program.

Craig Schulz, son of the Peanuts creator, served as one the executive producers and writers of the film along with Stephen Pastis, who wrote the special as well. Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown was also executive produced by Paige Braddock and Linda M. Steiner and was directed by animator Andy Beall (Up, Ratatouille) and Frank Molieri (The Simpsons Movie, SpongeBob SquarePants Movie).

“We’re excited to see Charles Schulz’s work continue on through this new special,” said Jeff Brown, WHV Executive Vice President and GM of Non-Theatrical Franchise. He added, “Peanuts is one of our most cherished properties and we are committed to continue building this brand by offering new, original content such as Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown to consumers. This is the first Peanuts special produced in several years and we’re hopeful it will become a favorite with viewers of all ages.”

“Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown is based directly from Peanuts strips my dad drew from the 1960s, which I personally like the best,” said Craig Schulz. “Maybe it is because I can see so much of my family life embedded in those years. In this special, we tried to show how all kids have security issues, not just Linus, and not all are as secure as one would think. We bring back Shermy, Patty, and Violet, and if you are a true Peanuts fan you will notice others that formed the foundation for Charlie Brown’s neighborhood.”

On October 2, 1950 the PEANUTS comic strip launched in seven American newspapers. Little did anyone know the impact the brand would have around the world for decades to come. Nearly 60 years later, PEANUTS animated specials have become a seasonal tradition, thousands of consumer products are available in virtually all retail channels, and the comic strip appears in over 2,200 newspapers, in 75 countries and 21 languages. Charlie Brown kicking the football, Linus and his blanket and Lucy leaning over Schroeder’s piano are images to which everyone can relate. Phrases such as “Security Blanket’ and “Good Grief” have become a part of the global vernacular.

About PEANUTS WORLDWIDE
The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE’S (R), BONGO (R), BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), LONDON FOG (R), MOSSIMO (R), OCEAN PACIFIC(R), DANSKIN (R), ROCA WEAR(R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R) and WAVERLY (R). In addition, Iconix owns an interest in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ED HARDY (R), ECKO (R), MARC ECKO (R), ZOO YORK (R), MATERIAL GIRL(TM), and PEANUTS brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.

About Warner Premiere:
Warner Premiere is a Warner Bros. Entertainment production company focused on the development, production and marketing of feature-length-DVD and short-form digital content for this growing space. Warner Premiere is committed to being at the creative forefront in the evolution of quality product in the direct-to-consumer business, creating material that exemplifies the commitment to story, production and brand equity for which Warner Bros. is known.

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVD production, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame titles.